Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo argues with a referee during the second half in the game against Indiana on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES The frequently exhilarating, recently completed 4 Nations Face-Off elicited that emotion—or some version thereof—in many sports fans across the country, though the fact remains many more already knew.
Whatever your passion for the once-self-branded “Coolest Game on Earth,” one can’t bet on hockey until Saturday, when the NHL resumes on the heels of a tight 4 Nations final between the United States and Canada.
Don’t worry, though. There’s a clash for first place in Big Ten men’s college basketball and plenty of NBA action following its league’s less-than-enthralling midseason showcase.
Here we go.
NO. 14 MICHIGAN STATE AT NO. 12 MICHIGAN
Michigan enters this rivalry renewal as the Big Ten leader in turnovers per game (14.4) yet still ranks third in the conference with an average of 16.7 assists.
One way the Wolverines keep the ball moving is through Yale transfer Danny Wolf, a 7-footer who’s adept at moving the ball. His 3.6 assists per game are narrowly on the heels of point guard Tre Donaldson’s team-best 4.0.
Wolf also is the team’s second-leading scorer behind fellow 7-footer Vladislav Goldin and is the only Michigan man to average double figures in rebounds this season.
The Spartans have shown versatility and adaptability on both ends of the floor. Three different players have led MSU in scoring in the past four games, with top scorer Jaden Akins (13.1) accomplishing the feat just once.
The Wolverines have prevailed by a stingy 19 combined points during their current six-game winning streak. Channeling their depth and recent upper hand in the series, including a sweep last season, the Spartans flip the script in another tight one.
Michigan State moneyline, +125 (BetMGM)
